The importance of moisture testing before laying LVT
The day has come when the flooring specialists arrive to lay your new luxury vinyl tile floor. Whether it’s in your home or business, it’s time to transform your space with a brand new floor and watch it take on a new life. But while we tend to focus on the end result and what our new flooring will look like, you will find that our specialists seem to spend a lot more time preparing for laying the new tiles. There is a very good reason for that…
What are you laying the new flooring on?
There are different ways to prepare for laying the new flooring and it will depend on what they are laying it on. It could be an old wood floor, a concrete surface, or old ceramic tiles. The type of new flooring you are having installed may determine whether or not your old flooring needs to be removed as some types are not compatible with what you already have. Assuming that this is not the case and that you can lay over it, it is important to make sure that the subfloor surface is level and smooth so that your new flooring doesn’t sag or slump. For uneven subfloor surfaces, self-levelling compounds can be used; they are quick-drying and so should not delay the installation of your new flooring at all.
Moisture levels
Whatever the old flooring is, the moisture levels must never exceed a relative humidity of 75%. This is particularly important if you are working with a concrete subfloor. A high moisture content can affect the adhesive making the new tiles lose their bond and lift. Moisture problems are more likely to be an issue in an older building rather than a new one but the moisture levels must still be checked prior to proceeding.
Your fitter will have a hygrometer (a device which measures humidity) to check what the levels are. Ideally you will allow the subfloor to dry out if the humidity levels are above 75% otherwise your new flooring will warp, sag, blister, or ripple – not what you want from a brand-new floor!
What can you do if there is a high moisture content?
Often, the lack of time to allow a subfloor to dry out properly is a problem. Most of us are pushed for time – we want to be able to move around the house freely, or we need to run our business so making a room or space out-of-bounds until it is dry isn’t an option. In such cases, a damp-proof membrane can be laid between the subfloor and new luxury vinyl tiles. This will make sure that moisture does not rise into the new flooring and cannot affect the adhesive bonding and lead to lifting of your new luxury vinyl flooring.
Cleaning
Before the installation of your new vinyl tiles, or the damp-proof membrane if you are using one, the subfloor must be clean of all dirt, grime, wax, sealant, or old adhesive to ensure a good bond with the new flooring tiles.
Need expert help?
For advice, help, or professional installation of luxury vinyl tiles or any other flooring type, our team at Cherry Carpets is happy to help. All you need to do is get in touch with us either by phone on 020 8249 9726 or by email at .
